Cover locking and reinforcing device for a container



1955 P. WASYLUKA 2,723,797

COVER LOCKING AND REINFORCING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER Filed Feb. 4, 1952 r 7 1? j? I I// I k g ,0 5 I /z 1 g {9 /5 la 4 0 l4 /3 FIG 3.

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United States Patent COVER LOCKING AND REINFORCING DEVICE FOR A CONTAINER Paul Wasyluka, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Gaylord Container Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Maryland Application February 4, 1952, Serial No. 269,745

8 Claims. (Cl. 229-47) This invention appertains to a cover locking and body reinforcing means to secure a container cover to a container body, and more particularly to a cover locking means for a solid or corrugated fibreboard carrier or case of the multiple-trip type used to transport bottled beverages and the like.

Many containers are constructed of fibreboard and similar materials. One of the most Widely employed and prominent examples is the fibreboard beverage case, designed to carry 24 twelve-ounce bottles. These cases are subjected to severe handling and abuse. They are pushed along conveyors, lifted by one handhole and are subjected to dampness as well as severe impact and almost constant vibration while in transit. Such service requires a heavy duty container having a rigid, strong construction, utilizing to the utmost the strength of every component. Furthermore, to be commercially acceptable, the container should not be bulky or have excess material. It should be easy to manufacture, fabricate and assemble and the cover and body should have no inner or outer protrusions.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a lock which will facilitate rigid and automatic securing of a cover to a container body without manual adjustment or manipulation, and yet provide for easy release.

Another object is to provide a cover lock having a loop portion which is carried by the cover in position to engage a portion of the upper margin of an adjacent wall of the container and effectively restrains relative move ment and flexing of the parts of the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cover lock which may be rigidly secured to the cover and yet may be readily removed for subsequent re-use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a stiff, inflexible locking loop which may be inserted and secured into a cover member through openings without the use of glue, staples or the like and which is proof against accidental release.

This invention is embodied in a container cover lock comprising a rigid loop connected to the edge of a cover member on said container, said loop releasably embracing a portion of the upper margin of an adjacent container body wall in the locking position of the cover member.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a locking member;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a body blank showing an opening adapted to receive portions of-the locking loop;

Fig. 3 is a view of an end wall blank adaptable for use as an end panel for the body blank shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of 2,723,797 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 a beverage case embodying the cover lock, the same being shown with the covers in a partially open position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a beverage case similar to the case of Fig. 4, with the covers in the closed position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a corner of a cover showing the locking loop inserted into the cover with the longitudinal and end flanges of the cover in the open unsecured position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a corner of a cover with the locking loop inserted therein and the longitudinal and end flanges secured to the underface of the cover.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the corners of two covers and a portion of the upper edge of an end wall, showing the covers in the locked position.

Referring to Figure 1 wherein a preferred embodiment of a locking member A is illustrated, a side or loop portion 1 is provided with two end portions, hereinafter referred to as the inner end portion 2 and the outer end portion 3. The inner and outer end portions 2 and 3 are preferably bent at substantially right angles to the side portion 1. Connected to the inner extremities of the respective inner and outer end portions 2 and 3 are retaining bars referred to as inner retaining bar 4 and outer retaining bar 5. In the form shown, the bar 4 is approximately half the length of bar 5, and bar 5 is substantially half the length of the straight portion 1. An inner anchoring portion 6 and an outer anchoring portion 7 are provided in an inwardly projecting substantially right angular relation to the inner retaining bar 4 and the outer retaining bar 5 respectively. All of the portions of the locking member described are shown to lie within one plane, i. e. the plane of the cover to which they are attached. However, to use the anchoring portions described, it is only necessary that the anchoring portions themselves be in co-planar relationship with the cover. Other portions of the locking member may extend outside the limits of the plane of the cover and still come within the intended scope of the invention. For example, the side portion 1 may curve downward so that portions thereof fall without the plane of the cover. The locking member A is preferably constructed of relatively stiff wire, however, any suitable material may be used. The preferred form of the member A gives it a large contact with the cover and prevents its accidentally working loose, without introducing difiiculties in its initial assembly.

A body blank B, which is shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a bottom panel 8 and a pair of side panels 9 as well as a pair of hinged covers 10. These covers and panels are defined by parallel longitudinal scores 11 and transverse scores 12. The transverse scores 12 also define the inner margins of body flanges 13. The end edges of the body flanges 13 are defined by slots 14. Cover end flanges 15 are foldably connected to the ends of the hinged cover members 10 along the transverse scores 12. The cover (Figs. 2 and 6) is also provided with a longitudinal cover flange 16 foldable along the score 11. The end edges 18 of the flange 16 are spaced from the end of the cover and the adjacent corner of the cover removed to form the opening 19 when flange 16 is folded flatwise on the inner face of cover 10 and flange 15 folds over flange 16 and both secured to the cover 10. A loop receiving opening 17 is provided in spaced relation from the opening 19 between the fold scores 11 and 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the loop receiving opening 17 is displaced from the end of the transverse score 12, a dis tance equal to the space between the inner and outer end portions 2 and 3 of the locking member A.

Fig. 3 shows an end blank C comprising the end panel 20, the reinforcing flange 21 and the stiffening member '22.

A flange score 23 defines the inner edge of the stiffening member 22 and the outer edge of the reinforcing flange 21. There is provided, as best shown in Fig. 3, a pair of apertures24 adapted to receive the inner end portions 2 of the respective locking members A. A center aperture 25 is provided between the aforementioned apertures 24 to receive the outer end portions 3 of the respective locking members A. The apertures 24 are spaced just the required distance to snap and seat the end portions of the locking member A in the notches 24a and 25a and position the loop portion 1 flatwise against the outer face of end panel 2i). Since two covers are used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the central aperture 25 is enlarged to provide access for both of the outer end portions 3 of the two locking members. The apertures 24 and 25 are located in the fold score 26 between the panel 20 and the flange 21 so that folding of the flange 21 results in the apertures 24 and 25 becoming notches 24a and 25a respectively. It is obvious that the position of the locking member receiving notches 24a and 25a is dependent only upon the position and size of the locking members A. Therefore, the apertures which are converted to notches upon fabricating the end panel 20 may be positioned in any suitable place, so long as they are spaced to receive the inner and outer portions 2 and 3 of the locking members A when the cover or covers are in the closed position. Furthermore, the depth of the notches is such that the end portions 2 and 3 will seat and be held in the slightly enlarged channel portions 24b and 25b of the notches 24a and 25a when the covers are in the closed horizontal position. A handhole opening 27 is shown in the end panel, however, it is optional and may be omitted if desired.

The container may be assembled in any suitable manner, however, a preferred method is to fold the side panels 9 upward about the adjacent longitudinal scores 11 and then fold all of the body flanges 13 inwardly into right angular relation with their respective body members 8 and 9. The end walls of the container are formed by folding the stiflTening member 22 about the flange score 23 to a position flatwise against the inner face of the reinforcing flange 21. The reinforcing flange is then folded inwardly about the transverse score 26 until the exposed face of the previously folded stiffening member 22 is in flatwise relation with the inner face of the end panel 20. In this position, the stiffening member 22 and the reinforcing flange 21 may be secured to the end panel 20 by a series of stitches, glue or any other suitable fastening means. The fabricated end panel is inserted into the body blank and secured to the inner faces of the body flanges 13 by stitching, glue, or other means.

The locking member A is now inserted into the cover (Figs 6 and 7) by placing the inner anchoring portion 6 through the loop receiving opening 17. The anchoring portion is inserted from the outside face of the cover. The inner retaining bar 4 is now moved through the loop receiving opening 17, while the outer anchoring portion 7 and the outer retaining portion are being guided along the underside of the cover end flange 15 at the corner opening 19. When the inner end portion 2 is in alignment with the loop receiving opening 17 and the outer end portion 3 is in contacting relation with the corner opening 19 between the cover end flanges 15 and 16, the cover flange 16 and the cover end flange 15 are bent inwardly and secured in flatwise relation to the inner face of the cover 107 In this assembly, the corner of flange 15 overlaps the flange 16 to define a passage 28 between the flange end edge 13 and the fold of flange 15. It is noted that the described lapped relation of flanges 15 and 16 can be reversed, in which case a passage similar to passage 28 is formed along the fold of the overlapping flange. The corner opening 19 forms the entrance to either passage, as is evident. The locking member is now in condition for use. It will be rigidly disposed between the cover and the cover flanges and 16. The

locking member is so shaped that even should a cover flange accidentally become unsecured, the locking member will not fall out of the cover without manipulation. It is also evident that the close fitting relation of the anchor in the passage aids its retention in the cover. The locking member need not be stitched or glued to the cover member as the pressure of the cover flanges as well as the action of the retaining bars, particularly retainer bar 5 in passage 28, will prevent any movement. The assembly of all locking members A is carried out as above described.

When the container is thus assembled and erected, the cover (Figs. 4 and 5) is brought downward unit it is just slightly angularly displaced from a horizontal position. The locking member A should be just slightly above the loop receiving notches 24a and 25a. As the cover is brought closer to a horizontal position, the loop forming side portion 1 of the locking member will slide over the outside face of the portion of the body end wall defined between the adjacent notch 24a and the spaced notch 25a. Likewise the inner end portion 2 will be received by the notch 24a and the outer end portion 3 will be received by the notch 25a. Finally, the end portions 2 and 3 will seat in the enlarged channel portions 24b and 25b with a snap action to restrict further movement of the cover relative to the container body. Likewise the side portion or loop 1 will be in firm, snug contact with the outer upper margin of the end wall, so as to force the upper portion of the end wall into firm contact with the end edge of the cover.

When the cover is in the closed position as set out hereinbefore, substantially all weaving of the container is eliminated. Any transverse motion of the covers of the container relative to the container body is restained by the inner and outer end portions of the locking member acting against the sides of the inner and outer loop receiving notches. Any longitudinal motion of the cover relative to the body portion is likewise restrained by the snugness of the side portion of the loop against the outside edge of the body end wall.

it is to be understood that the embodiments herein described are illustrative and not restrictive and that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other modified forms.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container having a cover and a body with an end wall adjacent to said cover, said cover fitting flush with the margin of said end wall; a device for releasably locking said cover to said adjacent end wall comprising an inflexible locking loop secured to one edge of said cover adjacent said end wall in the closed position thereof, said body end wall being provided with a pair of spaced notches formed in the end wall which define a projecting marginal wall portion therebetween adapted to fit snugly within and be encircled by said locking loop when said cover is in the closed position, said loop having a portion lying outside of said notches and in abutment with the exposed face of said body end wall.

2. In a container having a cover hinged to a side wall and an adjacent end wall with spaced notches formed in the upper margin thereof which notches define a projecting Wall portion therebetween; a device for releasably locking and bracing said cover to said adjacent end wall comprising an outer loop portion and angularly inwardly disposed end loop portions, one of said end loop portions having an extension therefrom forming a retaining bar parallel to said outer loop portion, the other said end loop portion having a retaining bar co-linear with said first mentioned retaining bar, the outer loop portion of said locking loop snugly engaging the outer face of the projecting wall portion in the upper margin of said end wall and the end loop portions of said locking loop being disposed within the notches in the upper margin of said end wall spaced to snugly receive said end loop portions in inter-engaging relation.

3. An inflexible wire lock for a container cover, said cover lock comprising a substantially straight outer loop portion having right angularly disposed relatively short end loop portions connected thereto, one of said end loop portions having an extension right angularly disposed thereto to form a retaining bar parallel to said outer loop portion and extending for substantially half the length thereof, the other end loop portion having a retaining bar extending in the same direction as said first mentioned retaining bar, one end of each retaining bar being provided with a right angularly disposed anchor portion, said anchor portions being substantially parallel and all said loop portions being in substantially co-planar relationship.

4. In a rectangular container having a bottom and a pair of opposing end walls each having an upper marginal reinforcing flap folded inwardly parallel to the inner face thereof, and a pair of opposing side walls, each having a hinged half cover adapted to fit snugly between the inner upper margins of said opposing end walls when in closed position, each end of said hinged cover being provided with an end flange secured in flatwise relation to the underface thereof; a cover looking and bracing means comprising a wire locking member having a straight outer loop portion with a pair of right angularly disposed end loop portions, one of said end loop portions having an extension angularly disposed thereto to form a retaining bar extending for substantially half the length thereof, the other of said end loop portions having a shorter retaining bar extending in the same direction as said first mentioned retaining bar, each of said retaining bars having a relatively short anchoring portion directed inwardly and at right angles thereto, said retaining bars and anchor portions being rigidly secured between said end cover flanges and the underface of said cover, all of said locking member components being disposed flatwise in substantially co-planar relation to said half covers.

5. In a container having side walls and end panels joined to form the container, said end panels having notches opening through a margin thereof; a cover for the container with marginal flanges on said cover adapted to be folded flatwise upon said cover with adjacent flange end portions in lapped relation and the end edge of one flange spaced from the fold of the adjacent flange to form a passage under the folded flange, said cover having an aperture in the fold of one of said flanges spaced from the entrance to said passage, and cover locking means carried by said cover in position to engage in said end panel notches, said locking means having an outer loop portion, spaced and angularly directed end portions, and retainer portions directed generally parallel with said outer loop portion, one of said retainer portions being confined in said passage under the folded flange and other retainer portion being confined under the folded flange adjacent said spaced aperture.

6. In a container, side walls and end panels joined together, each of said end panels having an upper marginal flange folded against one face thereof to form a reinforced margin and spaced notches formed in said reinforced margin, half covers hingedly connected with said side walls, each half cover having marginal flanges folded against one face thereof, and locking members carried by each half cover adjacent said folded margins of said end panels, each said locking member including a loop portion and two end portions angularly directed relative to said loop portion, said two end portions of each locking member being secured between said half cover and a folded marginal flange thereof and said loop portion extending outwardly of said half cover in position to have said two end portions releasably engage within said spaced notches in the adjacent reinforced margin of said end panel, said loop portion encircling the marginal portion between said notches to retain said end panels against outward spreading.

7. The container set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said two end portions of each locking member includes anchor portions positioned flatwise and adjacent one face of said half cover on which said locking member is carried.

8. The container set forth in claim 6, wherein each of said two end portions of each locking member includes retaining bars directed substantially parallel with said loop portion, said retaining bars being positioned to engage against the fold formed between the half cover and one marginal flange thereof, said latter folded marginal flange concealing said retainer bars thereunder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 282,359 Pacholder July 31, 1883 1,596,054 Leigh Aug. 17, 1926 1,834,541 Johnson Dec. 1, 1931 2,311,040 Evert et al Feb. 16, 1943 2,321,145 Jones June 8, 1943 2,459,666 Marus Jan. 18, 1949 2,586,156 Ferguson Feb. 19, 1952 2,612,305 Klasing et al. Sept. 30, 1952 2,622,785 Kieckhefer Dec. 23, 1952 

